Why Gus Kenworthy kissing his boyfriend at the Olympics was such a big deal

Freestyle skiier Gus Kenworthy didn't repeat his silver medal-winning performance from 2014, but one thing he did do Sunday at the Winter Olympics could be an even more iconic moment in his athletic career.

Before Kenworthy headed up the mountain for the first of his slopestyle runs at Phoenix Snow Park, he was greeted by his boyfriend Matt Wilkas for a quick kiss -- one that was captured on live television by the NBC Sports cameras.

Didn't realize this moment was being filmed yesterday but I'm so happy that it was. My childhood self would never have dreamed of seeing a gay kiss on TV at the Olympics but for the first time ever a kid watching at home CAN! Love is love is love. pic.twitter.com/8t0zHjgDg8

It was over in an instant, but it carried a lasting impact on social media.

Kenworthy wrote: ''Didn't realize this moment was being filmed yesterday but I'm so happy that it was. My childhood self would never have dreamed of seeing a gay kiss on TV at the Olympics but for the first time ever a kid watching at home CAN! Love is love is love."

Among those to comment on Kenworthy's post: Figure skater Adam Rippon, another openly gay member of this year's U.S. Olympic Team.

The day didn't have a storybook ending as Kenworthy, who suffered a broken thumb during training on Thursday and needed blood drained from his hip just to compete, failed to land any of his three runs and finished last in the 12-man slopestyle final.

Still, the reaction to his tweet -- which tagged Wilkas and was posted at 10:06 p.m. ET on Sunday -- drew over 17,000 likes and 3,000 retweets in the first 45 minutes it was online.